Clinton and Bush are statistically tied as the nation's most admired man.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Looks like all of Bill Clinton's time on the campaign trail this year for his wife Hillary may be paying off in the polls for more than one member of the family.

Sitting presidents usually top Gallup's list of the country's most admired man, and this year is no exception: President Bush leads, as the choice of 10 percent of those polled. But in this survey, he's in a statistical tie with former President Bill Clinton, at 8 percent. In the last survey, there was an 8-point margin of separation, with Bush leading 13 to 5 percent, and a 17-point difference in a 2004 poll. (Full poll results [PDF])

Former Vice President Al Gore, who won several high-profile awards in 2007 for his work to raise awareness about climate change, also shot up in the poll - now in third place with 6 percent - 5 percentage points higher than last year.

Hillary Clinton tops Gallup's most admired woman list, with 18 percent. But popular talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has campaigned for Obama, Clinton's chief rival, is statistically tied with the New York Democrat at 16 percent. Both have gained in this year's poll: Clinton was at 13 percent in 2006 while Winfrey was at 9 percent.

The poll surveyed 1,011 Americans December 14-16, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

soundoff(231 Responses)

Richard, West Palm Beach, FL

"Just goes to show the intelligence level of a liberal versus a conservative, as conservatives are proven statistically to be more educated than liberals."
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Where's the proof? Did this come from FOX News? In one of the most ridiculous examples ever of rationalization, Bush supporters put out a map of the U. S. showing red versus blue by county to try to come up with an excuse why Bush lost the popular vote to Gore. The map indicated that Bush got rural support and Gore won urban support. It is reasonable to think that there would be more doctors, educators, and rocket scientists in urban areas.

The counter-example is that Republicans voted Bush in TWICE! Some people just can't learn from their mistakes. Just like Bush.

December 27, 2007 07:19 pm at 7:19 pm |

Alice, VA

"Both these President are admired for difference reason. President Clinton is still the best President".

From your very small, limited point of view it is understandable one could come to that conclusion. However, do not presume that your present view will survive the critical eye and perspective of history. Dare say, should Iraq become that democracy in the Middle East, Bush's legacy will be one of significant accomplishement. Clinton, on the other hand, WILL fade to mediocrity. Afterall, what significant accomplishment is attributed to Clinton. What did Clinton do that took courage, foresight, vision, conviction and absolute resolve against waning public opinion. Answer: NOTHING. Decades from now, no one will give a hoot about what the stocks did, not what the inflation and employment numbers were.

December 28, 2007 08:46 am at 8:46 am |

JWR New York City

The crude, vicious, hateful - and pathetically illiterate– invective against the President of the United States displayed in so many of these posts proves to me that most CNN viewers have been thoroughly conditioned by left-wing influences, e.g., CNN itself, slanted network news, conspiracy websites, paranoid blogs, late night parodies, Michael Moore films, etc. As one preeminent pundit puts it, they have been "drinking the Kool-Aid."

Unfortunately for them, as before, it will prove to be politically and historically fatal.

December 28, 2007 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Joe

This is ridiculous. Bush is known as the goofy guy with a shoulder laugh who can't get his words out clearly. He is NOT the most admired man. Do you know why he won this poll?? Because the other choices in the poll aren't a landslide of a choice either. Throw "The Rock" and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning on that list and George Bush wouldn't rank so well. When you compare him with Clinton the thought crosses my mind "OK, Clinton had his turn...he WAS the most admired man..but most admired NOW?..noo...I couldn't pick Clinton...Then I have the choices of Obama, Huckabee and others who HOPE to be the most admired man in the FUTURE..and nooo..I couldn't pick them either because they're still just pups in training. So you're left with the only feasible choice...the goofy guy with a shoulder laugh who can't get his words out clearly. Making this obviously a silly poll. Read more from me @ TheLegalHustle

December 28, 2007 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

CensoredByCNN, Roxboro, NC

I'm sickened by this news tidbit.

It looks like the only thing losing value faster than the American dollar is the value placed one's admiration. It has been given very cheaply this go around.

December 28, 2007 09:32 pm at 9:32 pm |

Teon

OMG this has GOT to be a plant from the press for Bush. Clearly he is the most hated and berated president ever. Lets get Hillary in office and have Bill there to advise her. Our country needs a major boost we are in trouble and all feel pretty disgusted.